(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)Washington, D.C., April 21, 2004 -- The majority of African-American physicians are not satisfied with their experience in the daily practice of medicine, according to the first-ever survey of African-American physicians' perceptions of the medical profession which was released today at the National Press Club. Limited access to health insurance for their patients, cost of medical liability insurance, and physician reimbursement were among the leading causes cited for physicians' dissatisfaction, with nearly one-quarter of those physicians surveyed indicating "the loss of joy in medicine as a primary or major reason" for making changes in their practice.

Overwhelmingly, respondents view improved access of minority patients to health insurance as a priority. Ninety percent of physicians surveyed indicate disparities in healthcare access as being "extremely important" for the medical profession to address, followed closely by tort reform (88%) and reimbursement (83%). These issues accounted for the top-three areas of professional disaffection experienced by physicians surveyed. Seventy-three percent indicated no satisfaction with their medical liability coverage, and nearly one-fifth (18%) reported that obtaining professional medical liability insurance was "the biggest problem I've faced this year." Indeed, almost half (46%) of the respondents said they had some degree of difficulty in getting such insurance. The majority (61.5%) stated that their medical liability insurance cost "went up significantly" or "went up somewhat" in the last three years. Paying for liability was a problem for nearly two-thirds (65%), with cost ranking as "the biggest problem I faced" for more than one-fourth of physicians (27%).

"The survey findings point to the frustrating reality we in the profession confront daily. We chose to pursue the practice of medicine because we wanted to heal our patients, to provide them with the highest level of care," said Sharon Allison-Ottey, MD, Physician, Researcher and co-investigator of the survey. "Rather than being able to focus on the medical needs of our patients, however, we increasingly find ourselves justifying the prescriptions we chose to treat them, or fighting for reimbursement for our medical services, or addressing ever-mounting medical liability costs and issues. Indeed, we must reform our nation's medical liability system so as to stop skyrocketing costs that cripple our practices. How can we provide medical care to our patients, when we simply can no longer afford it?"

Physicians surveyed also indicate the increase in paperwork, stress in their practice, amount of time they can devote to each patient, and patient load as additional reasons they are "not at all satisfied" with their daily practice of medicine. Faced with increasing challenges in their practice, more than 3 out of 4 (76%) of the respondents reported they either have retired within the last year or expect to retire from the profession in the near future.

While physicians of African descent make up only 3% to 5% of the physician population, more than two-thirds (67%) of their patients are minority patients. The majority of African-Americans physicians practice in large urban areas or suburbs, according to the survey.

The nationwide survey, which was sponsored by the National Medical Association (NMA) and the Gallup Organization, and supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., questioned 479 NMA physicians about the state of medical practice as perceived by African-American physicians; major obstacles to practice; satisfaction with specific aspects of medicine; and changes made by physicians in the new environment. The survey findings will be published in the April 2004 issue of Journal of the National Medical Association.

Additional Survey Highlights

l Across the board, a significant majority (from over 50% to over 60%) of physicians say they have "personally experienced a problem or annoyance" in reimbursement from a private managed care plan, commercial health insurance plan, state Medicaid or medical assistance, or Medicare
l The overwhelming majority say they are "not at all satisfied" with changes in Medicare reimbursement (50%) and with changes in Medicare reimbursement (45%)
l More than half (55%) are "not at all satisfied" state Medicaid or medical assistance reimbursement
l Nearly three-quarters state "not at all satisfied," when asked about private managed care reimbursement (39%) and commercial health insurance reimbursement (34%)
l Nearly 50% indicate "low satisfaction" with the treatment of African-American physicians in managed care

Despite the levels of dissatisfaction and changes to practice cited, nearly 4 out of 10 (37.9%) of those physicians surveyed also express "passion" for their profession. "The saving grace for the physician and thus the health of this nation's minority patient is the passion that remains with these physicians; they continue to view their profession as irreplaceable," said Randall W. Maxey, M.D., President of the National Medical Association. "We fully intend to harness that passion and nurture it, moving forward.
The survey respondents let us know that issues of disparity in patient access to health insurance; ever-increasing medical liability; and changes in physician reimbursement are the top-three activities we must champion. The NMA has historically been a strong advocate for the physician and for the patients we serve. The NMA invites other national, regional, and local societies, government agencies and other interested organizations to join us in our efforts."

About the Survey
The survey was conducted July 2003, using a mail methodology of physicians from the NMA list subset. Of the surveys mailed, 479 surveys were completed, with the largest majority (70.1 %) of respondents between the ages of 35-64 years of age. The respondents included 56% men and 44% women. The median date of residency was 1984. Nearly 45% of the respondents had served 10 or more years in their current practice. Data entry and analysis were performed by the Gallup Organization, using standard analytical methodology found to be statistically significant and relevant for public discussion.
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About the National Medical Association

Founded in 1895, the NMA is the one of the oldest and largest of the nation's medical associations, representing the interests of more than 25,000 African-American physicians and their patients. The NMA is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and underserved people. For additional information, visit www.nmanet.org